Histologic Findings in Graded Experimental Spinal Cord Compression in the Cat. In: Frowein RA, Wilcke O, Karimi-nejad A, Brock M, Klinger M, editors. Head Injuries. Tumors of the Cerebellar Region. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1978. pp. 368-72. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-67028-2_75]

Destructive pathological changes in the rat spinal cord due to chronic mechanical compression

Object

Chronic mechanical compression of the spinal cord, which is commonly caused by degeneration of the spine, impairs motor and sensory functions insidiously and progressively. Yet the exact mechanisms of chronic spinal cord compression (SCC) remain to be elucidated. To study the pathophysiology of this condition, the authors developed a simple animal experimental model that reproduced the clinical course of mechanical compression of the spinal cord.

Methods

A custom-designed compression device was implanted on the exposed spinal cord of female Wistar rats between the T-7 and T-9 vertebrae. A root canal screw attached to a plastic plate was tightened 1 complete turn (1 pitch) every 7 days for 6 weeks. The placement of the compression device and the degree of compression were validated every week using radiography. Furthermore, a motor sensory deficit index was also calculated every week. After 3, 6, 9, or 12 weeks, the compressed T7–9 spinal cords were harvested and examined histologically.

Results

Lateral projection of the thoracic spine showed a progressively increasing rate of mean spinal cord narrowing in the compression group. Motor and sensory deficiencies were observed from Week 3 onward; paralysis was observed in 2 rats at Week 12. Motor deficiency appeared earlier than sensory deficiency. Obvious pathological changes were observed starting at Week 6. The number of neurons in the gray matter of rats with chronic compression of the spinal cord decreased progressively in the 6- and 9-week compression groups. In the white matter, myelin destruction and loss of axons and glia were noted. The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)–positive neurons increased in the ventral-to-dorsal direction. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased from Week 6 onward and peaked at Week 9.

Conclusions

This practical model accurately reproduces characteristic features of clinical chronic SCC, including progressive motor and sensory disturbances after a latency and insidious neuronal loss.

Delayed myelopathy induced by chronic compression in the rat spinal cord

Cervical myelopathy is a common cause of neurological disability among the elderly; however, the exact mechanism for the insidious and progressive deterioration remains to be elucidated. To study the pathophysiology, we developed a simple experimental model reproducing the course. In rats, a thin sheet of expanding polymer was implanted microsurgically underneath the C5-C6 laminae. In the control group, the polymer sheet was removed immediately. Changes in motor functions were monitored for 25 weeks after the operation, with voluntary exercise activity measured by odometer attached to revolving cages, and forced running capability measured by duration of exercise on a rotating treadmill. Motor neurons were counted stereologically in continuous sections. In the compression group, the forced running capability deteriorated after a latent period of 17 weeks and progressively thereafter. In the control group, it stayed unchanged throughout 25 weeks. Course of the voluntary exercise was comparable between the groups. Motor neuron density in the compression group decreased significantly in 9 weeks (-20.3%) and 25 weeks (-35.5%), but not in 1 or 3 weeks. This practical model properly reproduces characteristic features of the clinical cervical myelopathy, with progressive motor disturbance after a latency and insidious neuronal loss preceding the symptoms.

Experimental spinal cord injury produced by slow, graded compression. Alterations of cortical and spinal evoked potentials

✓ A new model of experimental spinal cord injury produced by slow, graded compression in cats is described. The extent of cord compression was evaluated by monitoring somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP's). The compression was exerted by means of a special screw-plate assembly with stepwise advancement of the compression plate at different time intervals and was completed when cortical SEP had disappeared. Every stage in the total course of gradual compression was expressed as a percentage of the total. Cortical and spinal SEP's were recorded at each increment. The SEP pattern was analyzed in terms of latency, amplitude, and wave form. It was noteworthy that SEP's were remarkably resistant to gradual compression. The amplitude of cortical SEP's began decreasing at a late stage of compression, usually at about 80% of total compression, and that of spinal SEP's some time earlier, at about 60% of total compression. They both then rapidly fell to zero. Cortical SEP's showed a slight increase in latency concurrent with the reduction of amplitude, while the latency of spinal SEP's was constant. Mid-thoracic SEP's showed considerable individual variation in wave form. Their changes were similar to those of cortical SEP. Thoracolumbar SEP's, recorded immediately rostral to the compression, showed little individual variation, and did not show flat recordings even with maximum compression. A small monophasic positive wave was present in all animals even after the cortical SEP's became flat. This “final potential” was assumed to be caused by electrotonic volume conduction from the activities of the dorsal white matter caudal to the compression site. The reversibility of SEP's after the release of compression was remarkable. Both cortical and spinal SEP's could show complete recovery even when histological examination demonstrated hemorrhagic necrosis. The present data show no linear correlation between SEP changes and degree of compression. There are no changes with slight or moderate degree of compression. Alterations of SEP's in slow compression models should suggest the presence of a severe degree of compression.